Inu handed belated Warriors debut
Star recruit Krisnan Inu will belatedly make his Warriors NRL debut after being called up to replace injured winger Manu Vatuvei for Saturday night's match against Wests Tigers.
Surprisingly overlooked in favour of rookie flyer Glen Fisiiahi for last week's opening round loss to Parramatta, Inu's reprieve comes after Vatuvei was ruled out for eight weeks with medial ligament damage.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary also called up young pivot Isaac John to replace the suspended James Maloney, who pleaded guilty to a dangerous contact charge for his hit on Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne last weekend.
"It's naturally disappointing to lose Manu for a couple of months and to have James suspended for a week so early in the season," Cleary said.
"But over a period of time we have been striving to develop depth in our squad and once again we will test it. You always need players to be able to come into the side for a variety of reasons."
Inu, forced to watch last weekend's season-opening loss to his former club from the Eden Park stands, said he was ready to make the most of his fortunate opportunity.
"Manu's injury is a big disappointment for all of us and I really feel for him," Inu said.
"But I'm also excited to have the chance to make my debut for the club.
"I've got to make the most this chance because there's so much competition for spots in the side."
While Inu is to make his first appearance for his new club, John will be lining up for the Warriors for the ninth time, the last of which was in July last year when a knee injury ended his season.
In one other change Cleary named prop Jeremy Latimore on a five-man bench in place of Steve Rapira.
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